1999 Ford Escort Opinions

I recently found an automatic 1999
Ford escort SE for sale, and I was
considering it for my first car. It has
just over 81,000 miles on it, and the
dealer wants $1500 for it.  My only
concern is that I've talked to
someone about whether or not I
should get it and they said that in the
past they've had  their cars break
down after about 100,000 miles. I'm
definitely a fan of the idea of getting
the escort because it's so
inexpensive, but I AM concerned
about it having engine trouble, like
my friend told me about. It would be
one thing if I was just driving this car
around my area, but I would be using
it to commute back and forth
between my hometown and Rhode
Island which is about a 100 mile trip
both ways: so if the car breaks down
on me while I'm commuting back-
and-forth to school I'll be completely
screwed. If anybody has any input
about whether or not I should get
this car (Or if you have any helpful
tips/ info), it would be very very
helpful and I would greatly
appreciate it!